Separation Anxiety
with Dr. Ashley Peters
As we continue navigating through shelter-in-place, we’d like to acknowledge the learning opportunities not only for ourselves, but for our pets. Being at home more than usual may be the new normal for us, however at some point we expect that we’ll need to leave our pets home alone more. Many of our pets will need some additional conditioning to prepare for the change as your pet is now likely used to you spending an abundance of time in the comfort of your home.
Dr. Ashley Peters, a treasured veterinarian at Boulevard Veterinary, presents some tips to preventing separation anxiety in your pet as we prepare for the stay-at-home order to be lifted.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation Anxiety is a condition we see in pets who are overly attached or dependent on family members. They show distress when left alone and can become extremely anxious or destructive in the house, showing behaviors ranging from:
shaking
howling or other vocalization
inappropriate urination or defecation
destructive behaviors
attempting to escape
How do I know if my pet suffers from separation anxiety?
Pets who suffer from separation anxiety may get very worked up and start displaying anxious behaviors when they notice their owners getting ready to leave. Some of these behaviors include pacing, drooling, jumping on the owner or withdrawn behavior and vocalization.
You may hear reports from neighbors of your pet howling or barking while you are gone. You may come home to find your pet has scratched or chewed up objects in the house. Pets who have separation anxiety may also show signs of anxiety while you are home, such as frequently following you around and needing constant attention and reassurance.
How do I help my adult pet cope with separation anxiety?
Providing regular physical activity sessions as well as training sessions to help with mental stimulation when you are home. Try to do these regularly before leaving to release some of yours dog’s energy.
Desensitize your dog to your departure cues such as picking up your keys or purse, putting on your shoes, etc. For example, pick up your keys and then go make dinner instead of leaving the house or put your shoes on and read a book.
Do not make arrival/departures times a “big deal,” remain calm and be sure to reward calm behaviors. Work on training exercises of down-stay-or place on a special mat or bed. Save high reward treats or foods for only prior to when you leave instead of when you return like Kongs stuffed with peanut butter or food puzzle.
Have a dog walker come regularly or try doggy day care if your dog is social so they are not home alone all day. Some dogs will highly benefit from working with a trainer or behaviorist.
How can I prevent my pet from experiencing separation anxiety when I go back to work?
Establish a new routine based on your future schedule before you go back to work so your dog can rely on what to predict. Consider when walks play/training time or feedings would occur around a your normal “away” work schedule.
Additionally try to:
Practice “your route” (getting ready for the day as if you were leaving for work), so they can get used to it.
Start to gradually limit the amount of time you are with your dog so they can start to accept that you will be gone during the day and learn that this is not a negative thing.
Increase the amount of physical exercise you are doing with them and mental stimulation/training sessions when you would be home, especially prior to leaving.
Are there any recommendations for preventing separation anxiety while puppy training? How can I set my new addition up for success?
As hard as it is to resist them, try not to be with your puppy 24/7! Alone time is a skill to learn, just like sit or stay. Working on regular training sessions and socialization is a great way to condition this behavior.
Schedule alone time in their crate or safe space so they know that they will not be with you all the time and understand that it’s okay.
Save high reward treats or feeding times for when they will be in the crate or alone so they learn a positive association with independence.
Try to establish a routine with your puppy including walks, play time, feedings, attention, etc.
Regularly scheduled exercise, mental stimulation and socialization will help prevent them from becoming too dependent on you and they can be conditioned to happily welcome alone time.
Of course, every pet is different. If you’ve tried all the tips and tricks or worked with a trainer and your pet still exhibiting signs of separation anxiety when you leave, there are medications that can assist in reducing anxiety. Sometimes these medications can be used in conjunction with a training program and they can truly become comfortable home alone in time. If you think that you need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. We are always here for you and your pet.